Who is the WSAS for? Adults, workers, and clinicians
The WSAS is for adults who want to see how far a problem is reaching into daily life. LuriaLab lists it for ages 18 and over. [1] It has been validated in clinical groups, not specifically in workforces, so it should be used for personal reflection and conversation, not to assess staff. [3]
Who can use the WSAS?
The WSAS is for adults. NovoPsych says it is not validated for children or adolescents and does not recommend it under 18. [3] LuriaLab lists 18 and over. [1] It describes the scale as usable regardless of cause, including physical health conditions. [3]
Which groups has it been studied in?
The original study was in people with depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder. [2] NovoPsych lists validation in depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, phobic disorders, chronic insomnia, problem gambling, primary-care therapy, and psychiatric outpatients. [3] It does not describe workplace or occupational validation, other than the item on paid work. [3]
Can employers use it with staff?
Employers should not use it to assess people. It is a personal measure of how a problem affects your life, and it has not been validated for workforce screening. If you want to understand work stress in an organisation, use a work-design approach followed by conversation. [3]
When is a different starting point better?
If you want to know how drained you are by work, the OLBI. If you want an overall stress snapshot, the PSS-10. If you want to look at mood and anxiety symptoms, the DASS-21. If you are in distress, talk to someone first.
Sources and further reading
These links open external research and health-information websites.
- LuriaLab: Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS) test page
Five areas of functioning, age 18+, about 1 minute, and disclaimers. Response options and scoring are not described on the page. Read on 24 October 2026. - Mundt, Marks, Shear, and Greist (2002): The Work and Social Adjustment Scale: a simple measure of impairment in functioning. British Journal of Psychiatry, 180(5), 461-464
The original paper: five items, 0 to 8, over 500 patients in two treatment studies (depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder), reliability, validity, and the tentative score bands. - NovoPsych: Work and Social Adjustment Scale
A commercial publisher's summary of items, scoring, alternative bands, percentile context, reliability figures, and populations. Read on 24 October 2026.
This page is educational. A questionnaire score cannot establish a diagnosis or explain the cause of your symptoms. If you are struggling, speak with a doctor or mental health professional, whatever your score. Read when to get help for work stress or find a helpline in your country.